Canadian Muslim Organizations Demand Parliamentary Action for Gaza Ceasefire

With the holy month of Ramadan fast approaching, Canadian Muslim organizations, alongside local congregations, have issued a stern warning to members of Parliament: unless they publicly call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, demand the restoration of funding for the UN’s aid agency, and condemn what they perceive as Israel’s “war crimes,” they will not be welcomed into mosques to address congregations.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims, along with several prominent mosques, has penned an open letter, obtained exclusively by CBC News, outlining these demands and making it clear that MPs who fail to commit to these principles will not be provided a platform within their sacred spaces.

“Ramadan is about humanity. This Ramadan, more than ever, only those MPs who share in our commitment to humanity will be welcome to address us in our sacred spaces,” the letter states.

In addition to condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, the letter also calls for MPs to oppose the flow of arms and military equipment to Israel and to stand up for the right of Canadians to express solidarity with the Palestinian people without fear of reprisal.

The Canadian Council of Imams (CCI) is among the hundreds of organizations that have signed the letter. Abd Alfatah Twakkal, director of CCI, emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to politicians in positions of power and responsibility.

“It’s imperative that those who are in positions of power and responsibility advocate in order to stop the killing,” Twakkal asserted. “We expect government officials that are elected and put in these positions to represent the population. We are saying that this is what we expect in terms of representing the Muslim community and others.”

The conflict in Gaza, which escalated after an attack in Israel by Hamas-led militants in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israeli accounts report approximately 1,200 people killed, including several Canadian citizens, while Palestinian officials estimate over 28,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the region bracing for a potential ground invasion of Rafah, the last safe space in Gaza, amid claims by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that Hamas fighters are sheltering there.

In a recent development, the International Court of Justice issued an interim emergency ruling in response to South Africa’s claim that the war in Gaza amounts to an act of genocide. While the court ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide, it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.

This ruling has sparked divisions within the Liberal government caucus, with some MPs calling for an immediate ceasefire and others questioning the genocide claim.

Furthermore, Canada suspended federal funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) after Israel alleged that 12 or 13 UNRWA employees had participated in various capacities in the October 7 attack.

Twakkal warned that MPs who refuse to sign on to the pledges outlined in the letter risk losing political capital within Muslim communities. Mosques and Muslim community organizations have historically been popular stops for campaigning politicians, but the recent stance taken by these groups underscores the gravity of the situation in Gaza.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has previously visited mosques across the country for pre-Ramadan events, has faced protests in recent months over his government’s approach to the Gaza conflict. Misreporting in mainstream and social media has further fueled discontent, with some accusing Trudeau and his government of taking sides in the conflict.

Twakkal emphasized that Canadian Muslims are no longer willing to accept tokenism or empty promises from politicians.

“We’re beyond that at this point because people are dying, and it needs to change,” he asserted. “It needs to stop.”

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the demands outlined by Canadian Muslim organizations serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensure the safety and well-being of its inhabitants.